Automated trailer coupling arrangement

ABSTRACT

An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member supported on a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers configured to couple to pneumatic and electrical supply sources and a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an arrangement for connectinga towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, and in particular to an automatedconnection arrangement for connecting a semi-truck or tractor-trailer toan associated heavy-duty semi-trailer.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment as disclosed herein includes an automated trailercoupling arrangement that includes a receiver member configured to besupported on a towed vehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler andan electrical coupler, and a shuttle member including a second pneumaticcoupler configured to couple to a pneumatic supply source of a towingvehicle, and a second electrical coupler configured to couple to anelectrical supply source of the towing vehicle. The coupling arrangementfurther includes a control arm assembly configured to be supported on atowing vehicle, that includes a carrier member configured to operablycouple and uncouple with the shuttle member, an actuator coupled to thecarrier member configured to move the carrier between a first positionwhere the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and theshuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second positionwhere the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumaticcoupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the firstelectrical coupler and the carrier is uncoupled and spaced from theshuttle member.

Another embodiment disclosed herein includes an automated trailercoupling arrangement that includes a receiver member supported on atowed vehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler, a secondpneumatic coupler and an electrical coupler, and a shuttle memberincluding a third pneumatic coupler pneumatically coupled to a pneumaticsupply source of the towing vehicle, a fourth pneumatic couplerpneumatically coupled to the pneumatic support source, and a secondelectrical coupler coupled to an electrical supply source of the towingvehicle. The coupling arrangement further includes a control armassembly supported on a towing vehicle that includes a carrier memberconfigured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, andan actuator coupled to the carrier member, wherein the control arm ismoveable between a first position where the carrier member is coupledwith the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from thereceiver member, a second position where the shuttle member is receivedwithin the receiver member and is coupled to the carrier member, a thirdposition where the shuttle member is received within the receiver memberand the first and second pneumatic couplers are pneumatically coupledwith the third and fourth pneumatic couplers, respectively, and thefirst electrical coupler is coupled with the second electrical coupler,a fourth position where the carrier member is uncoupled from the shuttlemember and abuts the shuttle member, and a fifth position where thecarrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member. Thecoupling arrangement still further includes a controller operablecoupled to the control arm and configured to move the arm between thefirst, second, third, fourth and fifth positions.

Yet another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method for operatingan automated trailer coupling arrangement that includes providing areceiver member supported on a towed vehicle and including a firstpneumatic coupler and an electrical coupler, and providing a shuttlemember including a second pneumatic coupler pneumatically coupled to apneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle, and a second electricalcoupler coupled to an electrical supply source of the towing vehicle.The method further includes providing a control arm assembly coupled toa towing vehicle coupled to a towing vehicle that includes a carriermember configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttlemember, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member, and configured tobe supported from the towing vehicle, and coupling the shuttle member tothe receiver by moving the control arm assembly from a first positionwhere the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and theshuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, to a second positionwhere the shuttle member is received within the receiver member and iscoupled to the carrier member, to a third position where the shuttlemember is received within the receiver member and the first pneumaticcoupler is pneumatically coupled with the second pneumatic coupler,respectively, and the first electrical coupler is coupled with thesecond electrical coupler, to a fourth position where the carrier memberis uncoupled from the shuttle member and abuts the shuttle member, to afifth position wherein the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced fromthe shuttle member.

The embodiments as disclosed herein provide an automated trailercoupling arrangement of a robust and durable design that greatlyincreases the efficiency of truck/trailer operators while simultaneouslyimproving safety relating to the coupling/uncoupling of a trailerto/from a towing vehicle. The automated trailer coupling arrangement maybe utilized with manned or autonomous vehicle applications, may beretrofitted to existing vehicle platforms, is capable of a longoperating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the embodimentsdisclosed herein will be further understood and appreciated by thoseskilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims,and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an automated trailercoupling arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the automated trailer couplingarrangement;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the automated trailer couplingarrangement;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an area of the automatedtrailer coupling arrangement with portion of cylinder arrangements shownin phantom to illustrate internal components thereof;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and rear perspective views of a carrier and areceiver of the automated trailer coupling arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a receiver of the automated trailercoupling arrangement;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic side views of the automated trailercoupling arrangement shown at various coupling stages;

FIGS. 8A-8D are front elevational views of the automated trailercoupling arrangement illustrating a coupling procedure;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the carrier,the shuttle and the receiver; and

FIGS. 10A-10D are elevational front views of the automated a trailercoupling arrangement illustrating an uncoupling procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 . However,it is to be understood that the embodiments as disclosed herein mayassume various alternative orientations, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification are exemplary embodiments ofthe inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other characteristics relating to the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claimsexpressly state otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1 ) generally designates an automatedconnection arrangement for pneumatically and electrically coupling atowing vehicle, or semi-truck to a towed vehicle, or semi-trailer. Inthe illustrated example, the towing vehicle includes a pair oflongitudinally-extending, C-shaped frame rails 12 while the towedvehicle includes a cargo housing or container 14 having at least a frontwall 16, a pair of side walls 18, and a bottom wall 20. The embodimentsof the automated connection arrangement 10 may also be utilized withvehicles having other configurations including commercial and light-dutyvehicles.

In the illustrated example, the connection arrangement 10 includes anautomated placer assembly 22 (FIGS. 1-3 ), and a carrier 24 and ashuttle 26 configured to be manipulated and placed by the placerarrangement 22, and a receiver 28 fixedly secured to the front wall 16of the cargo housing 14 of the trailer and configured to receive andcouple with the shuttle 26.

The placer assembly 22 includes a mounting assembly 30 including amounting member 32 configured to be secured to a vertical portion 34(FIG. 1 ) of one of the frame rails 12, and a C-shaped mounting bracket36 pivotably coupled to the mounting member 32 via a pair of pivot pins38 of the mounting member 32 received within a pair of correspondingbores 40 of the mounting bracket 36 and pivotable about an axis 42. Themounting bracket 36 comprises a pair of pivot blocks 44 and a pair ofside plates 46 that cooperates to provide a C-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration. The placer assembly 22 further includes a cylinderassembly 48 and an upper arm 50, where the cylinder assembly 48 includesa first end 52 and a second end 54 and the upper arm includes a firstend 56 and a second end 58. The first end 52 of the cylinder assembly 48and the first end 56 of the upper arm 50 are attached to the side plates46 of the mounting bracket 36 by a pair of mechanical fasteners, such asbolts 60, 61 for pivoting about pivot axes 62, 64, respectively. Thesecond end 54 of the cylinder assembly 48 and the second end 58 of theupper arm 50 are operably coupled to carrier 24 via a pair of pivot pins66, 68 for pivoting about a pair of pivot axes 70, 72, respectively,where the carrier 24 is described in more detail below. In theillustrated example, the cylinder assembly 48 is driven by an internalpneumatic cylinder arrangement 73.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4 , the second end 54 of the cylinderassembly 48 and the second end 58 of the upper arm 50 each includespring-biased, length-adjustment arrangements 75, 77. Specifically, thelength-adjustment arrangement 75 of the cylinder assembly 48 includes aninner housing 74 telescopingly received within an outer housing 76, anda spring member 78, such as a coil spring, positioned between the innerhousing 74 and the outer housing 76 and biasing the inner housing 74from the outer housing 76 in a direction 80, while the length-adjustmentarrangement 77 of the upper arm 50 includes an inner housing 82telescopingly received within an outer housing 84 and a spring member86, such as a coil spring, positioned between the inner housing 82 andthe outer housing 84 and biasing the inner housing 82 from the outerhousing 84 in a direction 88. Total travel of the inner housing 74within the outer housing 76 is limited by a travel limiter 90 thatincludes a slot 92 extending through the inner housing 74 and a screw 94that extends through the slot 92 and is threadably received within theouter housing 76, while travel of the inner housing 82 within the outerhousing 84 is limited by a travel limiter 96 that includes a slot 98extending through the inner housing 82, and a screw 100 that extendsthrough the slot 98 and is threadably received within the outer housing84. Travel of the inner housing 74 is limited with respect to the outerhousing 76 by the screw 94 contacting the ends of the slot 92, whiletravel of the inner housing 82 with respect to the outer housing 84 islimited by the screw 100 contacting the ends of the slot 98.

In the illustrated example, the cylinder assembly 48, the upper arm 50,the mounting bracket 36 and the carrier 24 cooperate to form a four-barlinkage arrangement. The placer assembly 22 further includes a pair oflower control linkages 102 each having a first end 106 pivotably coupledto an associated side plate 46 of the mounting bracket 36 and a secondend 108 pivotably coupled to the cylinder assembly 48 along the lengththereof, and a pair of upper control linkages 104 each having a firstend 110 pivotably coupled to an associated side plate 46 of the mountingbracket 36, and a second end 112 pivotably coupled to the upper arm 50along the length thereof.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the carrier 24 includes a pairof pneumatic cylinders 114 coupled to a pneumatic input 116, where thepneumatic input 116 is connected to a controller 118 (FIG. 1 ) remotelylocated from the carrier 24, and preferably located within a cab of theassociated towing semi-truck.

The shuttle 26 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) includes a housing 20 that includes afirst pneumatic input port 122 pneumatically coupled to a firstpneumatic output port 123, a second pneumatic input port 124pneumatically coupled to a second pneumatic output port 125, and anelectrical input connector 126 electrically coupled to an electricaloutput connector 127. Preferably, the first pneumatic input port 122 andthe second pneumatic input port 124 are plumbed to pneumatic supplylines 132, 134 (FIG. 1 ) coming from and supplied pneumatic pressure bythe associated towing vehicle, and an electrical supply line 136providing electricity from the associated towing vehicle. Alternatively,each of the pneumatic input ports 122, 124 and the electrical inputconnector 126 could be configured to operably couple to one or more gladhands typically associated with heavy-duty semi-truck/trailer connectionarrangements.

The shuttle 26 further includes a coupling assembly 138 including a pairof clamping arms 140 pivotably coupled to the housing 120 via respectivepivot bolts 142. Each clamping arm 140 includes a hook 144 positioned ata distal end thereof, and a proximal actuator end 146. Each clamping arm140 is biased toward a clamping position by an associated coil spring148 as described below.

In the illustrated example, the receiver 28 (FIG. 6 ) includes aC-shaped receiver portion 152, and a triangularly-shaped guide portion154, where the receiver portion 152 includes a pair of side walls 156and a top wall 158, and the guide portion 154 includes a pair of sidewalls 160 that flare laterally outward from the side walls 156 of thereceiver portion 152. The receiver 158 further includes a rear wall 162that cooperates with the sidewalls 156 of the receiver portion 150 andthe sidewalls 160 of the guide portion 154 to define a widened lowerportion 164 communicating with a narrowed upper portion 166. Each of theside walls 156 of the receiver portion 152 includes a pneumatic port 168and a relief 169, while the top wall includes an electrical port 170 forreceiving an electrical connection associated with the trailer therein.The rear wall 162 includes a plurality of apertures 172 configured toreceive mechanical fasteners, such as screws or bolts, therethrough forattaching the receiver 28 to the front wall 16 of the trailer.

During operation, the associated vehicle is coupled with the trailer ortowed vehicle by positioning the tractor or towing vehicle with respectto the trailer such that the carrier 24 and the shuttle 26 as carried bythe towing vehicle are somewhat aligned with the receiver 28 as carriedby the towed vehicle. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8A-8D, theshuttle member 26 is initially carried by the carrier 24. Specifically,the pneumatic cylinders 114 of the carrier 24 are actuated via thecontroller 118 either by an operator or automatically by a vehiclecontrol arrangement typically associated with automated vehicles, in anoutward direction 176 such that the pneumatic cylinders 114 act againstthe distal end 146 of each of the clamping arms 140, thereby pivotingthe clamping arms 140 about the associated pivot bolts 142 overcomingthe biasing force exerted by the springs 140. As best illustrated inFIG. 9 , the distal end 146 of each clamping arm 140 includes a relief178 configured to receive a boss 180 of the associated pneumaticcylinder. The controller 118, whether manually or automaticallyoperated, then actuates the pneumatic cylinder arrangement 173 of thecylinder assembly 48, thereby moving the carrier 24 and the shuttle 26in an arcuate path 182. The carrier 24 and the shuttle 26 continue inthe arcuate path 182 until the carrier 24 and/or the shuttle 26 abut therear wall 162 of the receiver 28. The force exerted by the rear wall 162on the carrier 24 and/or shuttle 26 may then force compression of thespring member 78 of the cylinder assembly 48 and the spring member 86 ofthe upper arm 58, such that the carrier 24 and the shuttle 26 thencontinue along a linear path 184. Further, should the carrier 24 andshuttle 26 be laterally misaligned with the upper portion 166 of thereceiver 28, rounded upper corners 186 of the housing 120 of the shuttle26 abut one of the angled sidewalls 160 thereby forcing the cylinderassembly 48 and the upper arm 50 to pivot about the pivot axis 42 andallowing proper alignment with and receiving of the shuttle 26 into theupper portion 166 of the receiver 28. The placer assembly 22 continuesto move the carrier 24 and shuttle 26 in the upper direction 188 untilthe shuttle 26 is properly received within the upper portion 166 of thereceiver 28, such that the pneumatic output ports 123, 125 are properlyaligned with the pneumatic ports 168, and the electrical outputconnector 127 is properly aligned with the electrical port 170 of thereceiver 28, thereby pneumatically and electrically coupling the towedvehicle with the towing vehicle. The controller then operates to movethe pneumatic cylinders 114 in an inward direction 190 such that thesprings 148 bias the hook 144 of each clamping arm 140 into engagementwith one of the reliefs 169 of the side walls 156 of the carrier 24. Theplacer assembly 22 is then actuated in a downward direction 192 untilthe carrier 24 is free of the receiver 28, and returns the carrier 24 toa storage position during operation of the associated vehicle.

Uncoupling of the trailer from the towing vehicle is completed in areversed but similar manner. As best illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10D, theplacer assembly 22 moves the carrier 24 in the upper direction 188 untilthe carrier 24 is properly aligned with the shuttle 26. The pneumaticcylinders 114 are then actuated in the outward direction 176, therebyovercoming the biasing force exerted by the springs 148 on the clampingarms 140 and disengaging the hook 144 of each clamping arm 140 from theassociated relief 169. The placer assembly 22 then is actuated in thedownward direction 192, thereby removing the shuttle 26 from within thereceiver 28.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodimentsonly. Modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein will occur tothose skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosedembodiments. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown inthe drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposesand not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is definedby the following claims as interpreted according to the principles ofpatent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that modifications may be made to the describedembodiments without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Suchmodifications are to be considered as included in the following claims,unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automated trailer coupling arrangement,comprising: a receiver member configured to be supported on a towedvehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler and a first electricalcoupler; a shuttle member including a second pneumatic couplerconfigured to couple to a pneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle,and a second electrical coupler configured to couple to an electricalsupply source of the towing vehicle; and a control arm assemblyconfigured to be supported on the towing vehicle, comprising: a carriermember configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttlemember; and an actuator coupled to the carrier member and configured tomove the carrier member between a first position where the carriermember is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member isspaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the secondpneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and thesecond electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical couplerand the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member;and wherein the control arm assembly includes a four-bar linkageassembly, and wherein at least one linkage of the four-bar linkageassembly is adjustable between a first length and a second length thatis less than the first length.
 2. The automated trailer couplingarrangement of claim 1, wherein the receiver member includes a thirdpneumatic coupler and the shuttle member includes a fourth pneumaticcoupler, and wherein the third pneumatic coupler is uncoupled from thefourth pneumatic coupler when the carrier member is in the firstposition, and the third pneumatic coupler is coupled from the fourthpneumatic coupler when the carrier member is in the second position. 3.The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 2, wherein theshuttle member includes a first pneumatic input port pneumaticallycoupled to the pneumatic source and to the first pneumatic coupler, anda second pneumatic input coupled to the pneumatic source and to thethird pneumatic coupler.
 4. The automated trailer coupling arrangementof claim 1, wherein the actuator of the control arm assembly includes apneumatic cylinder arrangement configured to move the carrier memberbetween the first and second positions.
 5. The automated trailercoupling arrangement of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a housingconfigured to receive at least a portion of the shuttle member therein.6. The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 5, wherein thehousing defines a first receiver portion having a first width and asecond receiver portion having a second width that is less than thefirst width, and wherein the first receiver portion is configured toguide the carrier member from the first receiver portion to the secondreceiver portion as the carrier member moves from the first positiontoward the second position.
 7. The automated trailer couplingarrangement of claim 6, wherein the first receiver portion includes apair of angled sidewalls.
 8. The automated trailer coupling arrangementof claim 1, wherein the carrier member includes a clamp arrangementmoveable between a clamped position where the carrier member is coupledto the shuttle member and an unclamped position where the carrier memberis uncoupled from the shuttle member, and wherein the clamp arrangementis biased by a biasing member toward the clamped position.
 9. Theautomated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: acontroller operably coupled to the control arm assembly and configuredto move the carrier member between the first and second positions. 10.The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 9, wherein thecontroller is operated by an operator remotely located from the trailercoupling arrangement.
 11. The automated trailer coupling arrangement ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one linkage is biased from the firstposition toward the second position.
 12. An automated trailer couplingarrangement, comprising: a receiver member configured to be supported ona towed vehicle and including a first pneumatic coupler, a secondpneumatic coupler and a first electrical coupler; a shuttle memberincluding a third pneumatic coupler pneumatically configured to becoupled to a pneumatic supply source of a towing vehicle, a fourthpneumatic coupler pneumatically configured to be coupled to thepneumatic supply source, and a second electrical coupler configured tobe coupled to an electrical supply source of the towing vehicle; acontrol arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle, comprising: acarrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with theshuttle member; and an actuator coupled to the carrier member; whereinthe control arm assembly is moveable between a first positon where thecarrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle memberis spaced from the receiver member, a second position where the shuttlemember is received within the receiver member and is coupled to thecarrier member, a third position where the shuttle member is receivedwithin the receiver member and the first and second pneumatic couplersare pneumatically coupled with the third and fourth pneumatic couplers,respectively, and the first electrical coupler is coupled with thesecond electrical coupler, a fourth position where the carrier member isuncoupled from the shuttle member and abuts the shuttle member, and afifth position where the carrier member is uncoupled and spaced from theshuttle member; wherein the control arm assembly includes a four-barlinkage assembly, and wherein at least one linkage of the four-barlinkage assembly is adjustable between a first length and a secondlength that is less than the first length; and a controller operablycoupled to the control arm assembly and configured to move the carriermember between the first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions. 13.The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 12, wherein thecontrol arm assembly is configured to be coupled to the towing vehiclesuch that the carrier member is moveable in a lateral direction relativeto a longitudinal direction of travel of the towing vehicle as thecarrier member is moved between the first and second positions of thecarrier member.
 14. The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim13, wherein the actuator of the control arm assembly includes apneumatic cylinder arrangement configured to move the carrier memberbetween the first and second positions.
 15. The automated trailercoupling arrangement of claim 12, wherein a housing of the receivermember includes a first receiver portion having a first width and asecond receiver portion having a second width that is less than thefirst width, and wherein the first receiver portion is configured toguide the carrier member from the first receiver portion to the secondreceiver portion as the carrier member moves from the first positiontoward the second position.
 16. The automated trailer couplingarrangement of claim 15, wherein the first receiver portion includes apair of angled sidewalls.
 17. The automated trailer coupling arrangementof claim 12, wherein the carrier member includes a clamp arrangementmoveable between a clamped position where the carrier member is coupledto the shuttle member and an unclamped position where the carrier memberis uncoupled from the shuttle member, and wherein the clamp arrangementis biased by a biasing member toward the clamped position.
 18. Theautomated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 12, wherein the at leastone linkage is biased from the first position toward the secondposition.
 19. The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim 12,wherein the control arm assembly is configured to be pivotably coupledto the towing vehicle such that the carrier member is moveable in alateral direction relative to a longitudinal direction of travel of thetowing vehicle.
 20. The automated trailer coupling arrangement of claim12, wherein the actuator includes a linkage having an overall lengththat is changed as the control arm assembly is moved from the firstposition to the second position and the carrier member abuts thereceiver member.